Yakushima

Contexto cultural

Yakushima, anciently 'Yaku', already appears in the Nihon Shoki; the island's 'take-mairi' (climbing Miyanoura-dake to pray) is a form of mountain worship; the Jōmon Sugi (said to be 2,000–7,000 years old) was only 'discovered' in 1966; islanders have a saying that 'it rains 35 days a month' — rain is Yakushima's soul.

Costumbres locales

• Keep to designated trails, don't stray or carve anything
• don't climb over the fence at the Jōmon Sugi viewing deck
• rain gear, water and a head torch are essential
• in guide-only areas, hire a licensed guide.

Religión y creencias

• Mountain worship plus Shinto: Ekyū Shrine is the island's chief guardian
• locals have a custom of praying to the 'mountain god' before climbing. Many regard the Jōmon Sugi itself as a sacred tree — put your palms together in respect and don't touch it.

Consejos de viaje

• Avoid the typhoon season (August–September)
• April–June and October–November are best
• the Jōmon Sugi route takes about 10 hours there and back and needs a pre-dawn start — hire a guide and book accommodation in advance
• access: about 2 hours by high-speed ferry from Kagoshima, or by plane
• Shiratani Unsuikyō (an easy 3–5-hour route) suits most visitors
• renting a car on the island is a must.